Top tips to keep your pets warm during the cold snap

People in West Sussex are being urged to help keep their pets safe and warm as the cold weather continues.

Snow fell across the county on Thursday, and we've already experienced the coldest night of the year, with temperatures dropping to -6C in some areas.

But if it's cold for us, it's definitely cold for our pets - so here's how to keep them safe this winter...

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is urging us to take extra precautions to ensure our dogs, cats and other small animals don't fall victim to hazards during the cold snap.

"Extreme cold weather calls for extra precautions to keep our furry friends warm and safe. Even simple things like leaving your dog outside a shop in this weather whilst you pop in for a bit or putting your cat out all night can risk a range of avoidable illnesses.

"Domestic rabbits and guinea pigs are also vulnerable to hypothermia despite their warm coats, which is why owners need to be vigilant and take steps to ensure their hutches are protected from the snow, cold draughts and winter rain.

"If owners have any concerns about their pet in this cold weather, they should consult their local vet for advice."

BVA President Simon Doherty

Keep older cats inside during an extremely cold spell and ensure that even healthy young cats have easy access to shelter and warmth.

Here are some other top tips to keep pets safe this winter:

Provide a warm, draught-free shelter: Make sure your pet's bed is in a draught-free, warm spot off the floor in the house. For outdoor pets, the hutch or run should be in a sheltered position, away from wind, rain and snow at least 10 cm off the ground.

Take precautions during and after walks: Dogs need to be exercised; however, during the colder months, try to walk your dog for shorter periods. Wipe your dog's paws and belly on returning home from a snowy walk to remove any ice or salt, and to regularly check for cracks in paw-pads or for redness between the toes.

Avoid antifreeze poisoning: Wiping your pets' paws can also prevent them from ingesting toxins that they may have stood in whilst outside. Antifreeze in particular is highly toxic, with almost one in four vets (23%) reporting having to treat cats for antifreeze poisoning last year.

Temperature control for small pets: Keep the temperature of rabbit and guinea pig homes between 0C - +20C for rabbits (the lower temperature assumes rabbits are healthy and kept with other rabbits, with lots of bedding for warmth) and +5C - +20C for guinea pigs, avoiding too many fluctuations in temperature.

Provide extra bedding for rabbits and guinea pigs: Make sure your rabbits and guinea pigs have extra bedding to keep warm during colder weather - line hutches with plenty of newspaper, provide lots of hay and cover with an old duvet/blanket/tarpaulin. If the weather becomes very severe, consider moving outdoor pets inside to a well-ventilated space with light and room to exercise - but never place them inside a garage in use, as vehicle exhaust fumes are harmful to rabbits and guinea pigs.

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